Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution National Foundation for Communal Harmony New Delhi 2012 Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution Published by: National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) 9th Floor, ‘C’ Wing, Lok Nayak Bhawan Khan Market, New Delhi-110 003 © 2012, National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) ‘Any part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means with due acknowledgement to NFCH’ ISBN- 978-81-887772-12-4 Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution 2 Preface The National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) has been working to promote peace and harmony in the country. Among other activities, NFCH also encourages promotion of principles of non-violence in resolving disputes between different religious and other groups. Over the years, the Foundation has been organizing yearly essay competitions among the new officers of the All India Service and Group ‘A’ Central Services, who undergo training at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie. This e-monograph is the result of another such essay competition organized by LBSNAA, Mussoorie during the 83rd Foundation Course. This year’s theme ‘Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution’ is apt and appropriate in the present times, when Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent methods need to be re-invented. We are constantly being astonished these days at the amazing discoveries in the field of violence. But I maintain that far more undreamt of and seemingly impossible discoveries will be made in the field of non-violence. – Mahatma Gandhi The authors have written eloquently on this topic by citing examples from around the world. We are grateful to the bright and young officers for finding time out of their busy schedule to write on this important topic. I am optimistic that these essays will help in raising awareness on employing non-violent methods in conflict resolution in India as well in other parts of the world. The views expressed in these essays are those of the contributors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of the Foundation. However, any editorial mistake is subject to correction by NFCH. Secretary NFCH Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution 3i PROMOTING PRINCIPLES OF NON-VIOLENCE FOR CONFLICT RESOLUTION CONTENTS Sl. Contributors Title Page No. No. Preface i 1. Ruby Jaspreet Principles of non-violence can be 1-8 calming balm 2. Tarun Kumar Pithode The non-violence technique is 9-15 superior and most acceptable 3. Vinod Kumar DK Mahatma Gandhi’s methods are 16-22 the best methods for conflict resolution 4. Ayesha Rani Need to institutionalize conflict – 23-32 resolution mechanisms 5. Manasi R. Sahay Non-violence is the harbinger of 33-41 peace and conflict less environment 6. Priyanka Mary Francis Non-violent methods will lead to 42-50 productive resolution of conflict 7. Sudhi Choudhary Let us educate future generation 51-56 about being tolerant towards others 8. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya We need non-violence as the 57-67 supreme law of life 9. C. Ravi Shankar Non-violence can create a paradise 68-78 on earth 10. Neha Pandey We must address the roots of 79-85 violence 11. Preethi Maithil Non-violence is not the ultimate 86-94 means to resolve conflicts 12. Rahul V C The struggle to overcome violence 95-102 is important to end violence per se 13. Ruchesh Jaivanshi Non-violence is mightier than the 103-112 mightiest 14. Shaveta Dhankhar Non-violence is a strategy for 113-120 social change Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution 4 15. V. Karikalan Spirituality of non-violence 121-131 applicable to all facets of life 16. Hkkuw panz xksLokeh vfgalk ijeks /keZ% 132-137 17. eukst dqekj flag Lkekftd inkuqØe dk iSekuk 138-142 vfgalk gks u fd iSlk rkdr ;k dkbZ vU; pht 18. jkt dqekj ;kno lksp dks cnfy;s flrkjs cny 143-148 tk;aaxs About the contributors 149-150 Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution 5 Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution Principles of non-violence can be calming balm RUBY JASPREET The conflict in the society are as old as the soceity itself. In any society or nation-state, the resolutions of conflict, and restoration of normalcy is a cyclic process, which can be controlled by inculcating the values of coexistence and syncretism among the citizens. Where a society is rooted in principles of non- violence, resolving conflict at its incipient stage and controlling it in its escalated state becomes easier. No conflict can be everlasting, absolutely unavoidable or a total waste. In the dynamic society we live in today, conflict can prove fruitful by bringing about a positive social change. However, the psychological and social turmoil that it induces, can instigate a person or society into resorting to violence, defeating thereby any kind of purpose that conflict may serve. It is in this context that principles of non-violence gain significance. ‘Non-violence’ as an ideology and as a practice is not a new concept. it is as old as the tenets of Buddhism and as new as the latest UN initiatives. It is as widespread as the underlying force against racism and as personal as individual choice. Societal or individual, principles of non-violence are a potent force for resolving conflict as well as for better directing social change. The varying conflict situations in which non-violence has been used as a force or a tool temporally and spatially have broadened the scope of its principles. While basic principle of non-violence would be not resorting to violence in a conflict situation, it has been interpreted varyingly to mean much more. Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement in USA said that, “Non-violence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but refuse to hate him.” The principles thereby included not just tolerance but mutual love as well. When Gandhi rooted non-violence ‘stays’ truth become its principle. When Jesus Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution 1 said ‘love thine enemy’, mutual harmony also became a principle of non- violence. Whatever the interpretation, these principles go on to build a society where conflict doesn’t turn into violence but is more peacefully channelized into better shaping the society. History provides us with a lot of examples where principles of non- violence not just resolve conflict but also channelize it into positive and varying notions. The use of these principles is ending apartheid in South Africa and racism in USA, ended the conflict plaguing the society and also introduced idea of equality and mutual coexistence. When Mahatma Gandhi propagated and practiced non-violence he not only ended an imperial intrusion, but from this conflict situation emerged principles that an independent India inherited. Principles of non-violence then ended conflict, restored stability and went beyond to induce self-respect and self-confidence in a troubled nation that India was Non-violence is not just pacifism rejecting just the use of violence but is an ideology and a tool presupposing the end of conflict and bringing about social change. While principles of non-violence may also be individually practiced, they have more significantly been used as a tool and a counterforce in ending conflict in society. The popularity and widespread acceptability of these principles make non-violence a potent tool providing moral legitimacy to the grieving party and weakening the accused. So when the Dalai Lama fights against Chinese hold over Tibet, he not just attempts at ending conflict but becomes a more loved and respected person than a whole institution. Also, Dalai Lama not just gains respect but popularises peace and harmony as better alternatives to killing and plundering in conflict situations around the world. Principles of non-violence thus go beyond just resolving conflict to better channelizing it into introducing more effective institutional mechanisms or socio- political alternatives. Promoting Principles of Non-violence for Conflict Resolution 2 These principles may be religious ethical or just pragmatic. They may be forced by law or may be naturally imbibed in a society. They may be an educated individual’s choice or a socially shared value system. Whatever their interpretation or scope, they are a potent force that can prevent a conflict from shifting its focus from instigating violence to finding solutions. Where principles of non-violence are the norm in a society, conflict can be better targeted and more effectively resolved. Where a society is rooted in principles of mutual love, peace and tolerance, latent conflict is positively resolved before manifesting as violence. Extremely significant though these principles of non-violence are, no society can be called completely free from violence. It is because of this that promotion of these principles becomes important. This promotion can be done directly or indirectly, by the government or the civil society, in normal times or in crisis. In normal times, concentrated effort can be made by the government to spread the message of non-violence. This can be done through advertisements, hoardings and more significantly through its education policies. So when our NCERT books shed light upon Gandhi’s policy of non-violence and how it shook an established imperial set-up, the government incorporates it into the socialization of the child. Similarly, when leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi incorporate the ideology of non-violence into their struggle, peaceful resolution of conflict becomes a popular norm worldwide. Media has and can further play a more significant role in promoting principles of non-violence.